Public perception of forest fires: The role of knowledge, socio-demographic factors, and implications for fire management

Forest fires are becoming an increasingly serious environmental and social problem, driven by climate change and growing anthropogenic pressure. While their ecological aspects have been widely studied, less attention has been paid to social perception and its impact on fire management. The aim of this study is to analyse the social perception of forest fires among respondents residing in Poland, with particular emphasis on levels of knowledge, attitudes, and perceived risk. A quantitative (Computer-Assisted Web Interview, CAWI) survey was conducted between November 2025 and February 2026, involving 246 participants. Statistical analyses included non-parametric tests, correlation analysis, and the Relative Importance Index. The results indicate a moderate level of knowledge combined with predominantly negative attitudes toward forest fires. Significant differences were observed between socio-demographic and professional groups, with higher levels of knowledge recorded among respondents associated with forestry. A discrepancy was identified between perceived and actual knowledge, as well as a tendency to prioritise direct and visible effects of fires over long-term climatic consequences. Although some respondents recognised fire as a natural ecological process, the level of acceptance and understanding of management practices, such as controlled burning, remained limited. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening environmental education, improving risk communication, and increasing public awareness of integrated fire management methods. Given the non-probability and forestry-skewed sample, the findings should be interpreted as exploratory and cannot be generalised to the Polish population. Nevertheless, they provide insight into patterns of forest-fire perception that may inform further representative studies.